Sugoi’s Hydrolite jacket is a useful windproof/showerproof top for slinging in your pocket on days when the weather and temperature are likely to be changeable.
The jacket is made from polyester with a polyurethane laminate over the top and it’s pretty stretchy so it doesn’t feel restrictive when you stretch out on the bike.
The fabric itself is waterproof but the jacket as a whole isn’t because the seams aren’t taped, so this isn’t the best choice if you’re likely to be out for a long time in heavy rain. On the other hand, it’s perfectly capable of coping with a shower and it will keep road spray off.
The polyurethane layer isn’t as breathable as some high-tech waterproof fabrics but ventilation panels underneath the arms allow steam to escape and you can let in more air through the full-length front zip. You can easily adjust the drawcord around the hem to allow more air in if you want to freshen up the atmosphere, although neither the elastic bound cuffs nor the micro-fleece lined neck are adjustable.
I’ve been using this more as a windproof than as a waterproof. It stops cold air really well and, as we all know, that makes a huge difference when you’re moving fast on a bike. But you can get windproofs that are both lighter and less bulky so the reason to buy this jacket would be for the extra protection from the rain… For that reason, the fact that it’s not fully waterproof is a bit of a letdown.
Still, if you look upon it as a windproof with the bonus of extra showerproofing rather than as a rain jacket that’s not completely waterproof, the Hydrolite jacket is a decent proposition.
Verdict
Lightweight and stretchy showerproof with plenty of comfort
road.cc test report
Make and model: Sugoi Hydrolite jacket
Size tested: L
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Possibly, although I'd probably go with a lighter windproof or something that was fully waterproof
Would you recommend the product to a friend? As above
About the tester
Age: 36 Height: 184cm Weight: 74kg
I usually ride: My best bike is:
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, sportives, general fitness riding, mtb,
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Mat has worked for loads of bike magazines over the past 20 years, and been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. He's been road.cc technical editor for seven years, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. We send him off around the world to get all the news from launches and shows too. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a past winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer.
1 comments
I will second this review -- the Sugoi Hydrolite is a very good "might rain" jacket. Lightweight and packable so there is no excuse not have it in your pocket if there is a chance of rain.
However if it rains moderately or hard you will get wet (as I can attest to after just finishing 1 hour riding through an unexpected downpour). If you choose an appropriate base layer/jersey, the Hydrolite will keep you comfortable (it was 10C today and even being soaked through I wasn't cold).
This jacket fits very well -- cut for road cycling, just enough stretch, etc. The material is breathable and with the pit vents you won't overheat so this can also be a cool weather jacket. However the zipper is a bit flimsy so I wouldn't expect it to last if you plan to use it regularly -- IMHO it is an emergency use jacket.